Sunny outlook from city milliner
Hats off to Edinburgh milliner Sally-Ann Provan who is turning heads with the launch of her new summer collection.
The ‘Solis’ range of summer straw hats is perfect wear for those enjoying the sun at home or opting for a staycation holiday.
Sally’s hats are wedding favourites and often feature at Royal Ascot, Royal garden parties and other special events, but the lockdown has given her time to create a collection of timeless wearable casual straw hats that will last for summers to come.
After an Honours degree in Jewellery, Sally trained in couture millinery under the late Queen Mother’s milliner, and in theatrical millinery with The Royal Opera House.
Her clients include members HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and HRH Princess Beatrice, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins, ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins, Edith Bowman, The BBC, and Scottish Opera.
And with no access to a model or hair and make-up artist, Sally made a rare appearance in front of the camera to model her own collection.
Known for her beautifully crafted handmade hats and headpieces, she said: “I wear my hats all the time and although I’m very nervous anywhere near a camera, my clients encouraged me to give it a go.”
Sally applied her own make-up and styled the shoot with pieces from renowned womenswear boutique Jane Davidson, linens from Elizabeth Martin Tweed, and jewellery from Carla Edwards, Kaz Robertson and Pauline Edie.
She added: “The lockdown has been particularly hard on small business and I wanted to help highlight some of the amazing talent and shops in Edinburgh.”
The shoot was only made possible by calling on the talents of professional commercial and fashion photographer Alistair Clark, who happens to be Sally’s husband.
www.sallyannprovan.co.uk
Stephen Rafferty is a former crime correspondent at The Scotsman and was a staff reporter for the Daily Record and Edinburgh Evening News. He has freelanced for many of the Scottish and UK national newspaper titles. Got a story? Get in touch - stephen@theedinburghreporter.co.uk
